01Map the user journey before designing screens
Identify entry points, common tasks, decision points, error conditions and what happens when a user leaves and returns. Include administrators and support staff as well as end users. A journey map helps reveal unnecessary steps and missing states before they become expensive to fix.
02Choose the right delivery approach
A responsive web application may be sufficient for workflows used through a browser. A mobile application may be justified when device capabilities, distribution, offline behaviour or frequent field use require it. The decision should follow user needs and technical constraints rather than assumptions about what every product must have.
03Design for reliability and accessibility
Forms, navigation, feedback messages, loading states and error handling should be understandable on small screens and with keyboard or assistive technology. Performance and accessibility need to be tested across representative devices and network conditions, not judged only from a developer workstation.
04Plan integration and release
List APIs, identity systems, data sources, notification channels and operational dependencies. Define test environments, release responsibilities, analytics requirements and how issues will be reported. Keep personal and sensitive data collection proportionate to the application’s purpose.